Simvastatin and Dermatitis

[pedo]

Would it be possible for me to link a "dermatitis" breakout to the medication simvastatin?  It seems if I quit taking the medication the rash / breakout goes away.  

I have posted before but did not get a response, was wondering if anyone could help me with this mistery.

The weird thing is the rash occurs on the top of my penis, I have had a punch biospy done with the result of mild chronic dermatitis (which is vague).  

I can say I never had this issue prior to taking the medicine, I cannot say for sure if taking the medicine can possibly cause such a thing.  Some Dr's I have talked to say "Medicine can do anything to people".  

I have been off the medicine for over a week now with no breakouts.  

Thanks in advance!

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

We may be able to link the dermatitis to the medication. You have noted that the rash seems to appear only during intake of the medication and disappears when the medication has been ceased. At this point, dermatitis may not be a common side effect of simvastatin but it is possible. This may be a drug induced reaction. You may need to have your medications modified. Inform your physician prescriber about this so that an alternative prescription may be given.

Is there any penile discharge?

We may need to rule out an infection here. However, you have mentioned that a biopsy was done and dermatitis is a differential. This  sounds like a balanitis. Balanitis may present as a dermatitis especially in cases of trauma and other triggers. In your case, it may be due to the drug.

[pedo]

No discharge, dermatologist specifically said he was 99.9% sure it was not an infection prior to the punch biopsy.  After he got the path results back he said it was non infectious.  So unless you can think of any reason for me to think otherwise I am pretty confident we can rule out infection.

I cannot imagine an infection would come and go like this does either.  

I quit taking the simvastatin last tuesday, and by friday I looked perfectly normal with no steroid cream......

Thanks again for all the help!

[pedo]

I felt like I should also mention that I have been dealing with this on and off for 12 - 18 months now, I have been on the simvastatin for 24 months.

During this time the rash has NEVER broke out into an open sore and I have never had any discharge of any kind.

Thanks!

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

Yes. Reviewing your post, the histopath defined the condition as a dermatitis. An infection is just a differential and has been ruled out. Inform your physician prescriber about stopping the simvastatin. You may need an alternate drug for this.

I have mentioned balanitis in the previous post, as balanitis involves the glans or the head of the penis. It is really a general term for any skin condition involving the glans. In certain cases dermatitis is present especially secondary to a mechanical injury.

Again, inform your physician prescriber about your stopping the simvastatin.

[pedo]

Ok thank you, I will be contacting my Dr. today.

[pedo]

OK guys and gals, I felt like I was out of the water with the whole medicine causing the issue.  I will admit it is a lot better and was completely gone until today.  I noticed 2 little area's where it appears to be breaking out again.  Should I leave it alone or should I apply the steroid cream?

It is still a lot better like I said and no where near the type of breakout I have dealt with in the past but I still feel I am not normal?  Am I just not giving this enough time?  

It is 2 little tiny red dots, not raised, not an open sore just a discoloration of the skin.  

Is there anything I can do to find the underlying cause, I have never had to deal with this except in the last 18 months.......and of all the places!!!

Thanks!